“The Human Rights Campaign proudly stands with Congressman Brad Schneider,” said Rob Newhart, an Illinois resident and member of HRC’s national board. “Brad championed marriage equality for years and is also an original cosponsor of the Equality Act, which would provide non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people in employment, housing and other important areas of life. We look forward to working to get out the vote for Brad’s re-election next year.”

“No matter who you are or who you love, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect,” said Schneider. “Since before my first campaign for Congress, I’ve been a proud supporter of equality, and now that marriage equality is the law of the land, I’m working hard to ensure all people have full equal protections under the law in employment, housing, and more. It is a great honor to accept the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign, especially during Pride Month, and I look forward to continuing to work with HRC to champion equality for all.”

Congressman Schneider is an original co-sponsor of the Equality Act, federal legislation that would guarantee permanent protections for LGBTQ people in employment, access to public spaces, housing, credit, education, jury service, and federally-funded programs, under our nation's existing civil rights laws.

In March, Congressman Schneider joined Congressman Scott Taylor (R-VA) to introduce the bipartisan Fair and Equal Housing Act, which would provide consistent and explicit non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people in housing by adding sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics under the Fair Housing Act. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) recently introduced the Senate companion legislation.